Thursday, November 08, 2007

Roadtrip

I still have my doubts. Logic dictates I can't see how the Browns are going to stop the Steelers running game. Not sure how our line is going to disturb Big Ben enough to give our secondary a chance to cover. I am hopeful that our offense can protect Anderson and that we can score. But I don't know.

I have not been this anxious for a football game in long long time. I am headed to Pittsburgh for the weekend. I don't have tickets. I don't even think I could stomach walking into that stadium. But I will be in town along with the Browns.

Monday, November 05, 2007

First round pick

I apologize to anyone who actually read yesterday's post. You could have read that anywhere. It was a waste of time and I wish I could give you back those precious seconds.

Over the years since the new Browns were born. It has been amazing to look back at our first round draft picks and dream about what would have been.

1999- Tim Couch could have been DonavanMcNabb or Edgerrin James2000- Courtney Brown could have been Chris Samuels or Cory Simon2001- Gerard Warren could have been LaDainiamTomlinson or Richard Seymour2002- William Green could have been Ed Reed or LeCharles Bentley2003- Jeff Faine could have been Larry Johnson or Eric Steinbach2004- Kellen Winslow Jr. looks good now but tell me there wasn't a time when he was hurt when you wished he was Ben Roethlisberger or Jonathan Vilma2005- Again Braylon Edwards is starting to pay off now but admit you dreamed of ShawneMerriman or before his legal troubles Pacman Jones2006-KamerionWimbley was the first first round pick who lived up to his promise right away

Why bring all of this up?

Because Adrian Peterson, who many fans wanted the Browns to draft, already has 1,036 yards in just eight games. In a half of a season, Peterson has already done what only one Browns running back has done since 1985. And you know what? I have absolutely no qualms that Phil Savage and the Browns selected the right guy in Joe Thomas and passed over the player that will be rookie of the year and looks to be one of the best backs in the NFL.

For the first time since the Browns' rebirth, the offensive line is the backbone of the team. Derek Anderson was not sacked against Seattle. His line has given him time to find the talented trio of receivers and opened running lanes for our backs. Thomas combined with the signing of the previously mentionedSteinbach looks to have the makings of an elite left side of the line. Romeo Crennel has been quoted as saying Thomas has graded out to be the Browns best lineman and has yet to be beaten for a sack. Peterson could be the next Jim Brown but what this team needed more than anything was a cornerstone left tackle.

While the Browns are earning our faith on the field, Phil Savage's draft picks are starting to show that we may finally have a front office to believe in as well.

PSThose Steelers looked pretty good tonight against the Ravens and in a way I am glad. I am really looking forward to see how far the Browns have come since week one and I want the Steelers at their best. The Browns have passed several tests the last few weeks and now it is time to measure up.

Sunday, November 04, 2007

Three in a row

I have to admit I really did not see this coming. Never in my wildest dreams did I believe the Browns could compete for a playoff spot this year. And here we are halfway through the season, the Browns are 5-3 and no matter what happens tomorrow night between the Ravens and Steelers, will be playing for at least a share of first place next week.

For the first time since 2001, the Browns have won three games in a row. Heading into the game, there were some doubters about the Browns wins. Outside of the Baltimore win, the others were against the dredges of the league as the Bengals, Dolphins and Rams are a combined 2-22. Even the Baltimore win has lost some shine as the Ravens have played poorly the last few weeks. And while Seattle is only a playoff contender because theirdivision is awful, this was again a game the Browns would have lost in the past. Instead the Browns made plays when plays were needed. The defense has been a sieve all season but for the second straight week, when a defensive stop was needed on a fourth and one-- they stepped up and made a play.There was no running game to speak. Jamal Lewis had 20 carries and only 37 yards for a disturbing 1.9 average yet he was a beast on the goal line as he powered his way for four touchdowns. Derek Anderson has truly become a leader on an offense that is littered with playmakers.

While I am not ready to utter the P word yet, I do now have hope. Next week will tell us just how far the Browns have come. The Browns have not been competitive against the Steelers for some time. For the Browns to take that next step, that has to change next week.